Lyrics

We were 12 when we learned to watch our weight
When we learned to celebrate
Every time we lost a pound
Someone else felt threatened, felt unsafe
If we took up too much space
So we started shrinking down
And told ourselves we were satisfied With the dressing on the side

We were 17 when we learned to curb our dreams
Getting paid to play and sing
Made our spirits feel alive
Someone else felt small and insecure
Made a sure thing seem unsure
So we took a 9-5
And we told ourselves we were satisfied Playing music on the side

On the sidelines, on the side
We held it in, we had to hide
We played it safe to survive
And life turned out just fine. We’re fine.

We were 25 when we learned how to say yes
Everyone was so impressed
When our calendars were full
All the heat and the pressure to succeed That we felt internally
Made our lives impossible
But we told ourselves we were satisfied Seeing loved ones on the side

On the sidelines, on the side
We held it in, we had to hide
We played it safe to survive
But there must be more than “fine, just fine”

‘Cause now we stand in the presence of our daughters
Crank the music, pass the butter
We’ll grow loud and sweet and wide
We don’t know how long this lease will last
But the end could come real fast
And we owe ourselves a ride
We won’t rest until we’re satisfied
And these girls will see there’s something more than “fine”
Shoulda done it long ago, but now’s the time
We’re done living on the side
We’re done living on the side